History and Politics

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Minimum offer: A*AA in A Levels (or equivalent)
Subject requirements: History
Submitted written work requirements: see our Written Work webpage
Admissions assessment: No assessment

Why Study History and Politics at Corpus?

Corpus is a fantastic place to study History and Politics — not just because of its strong academic community, but because the College itself is steeped in history. Founded in 1352, the College is home to one of the world’s most important manuscript collections: the Parker Library. Among its treasures are the St Augustine Gospels, one of the oldest surviving European books, and the first picture of an elephant ever drawn in Britain.

As a HisPol student, you’ll be part of a close-knit academic community where historians and political thinkers mix naturally. You’ll learn through Cambridge’s signature supervision system, where small-group discussions push you to think critically and articulate your own arguments with clarity and confidence.

Corpus also offers plenty of opportunities for debate, discussion and exploration, whether through College societies, guest speaker events, or informal conversations over dinner. It’s a lively environment for anyone interested in how politics and history shape our world.

What do we look for in applicants?

We’re looking for students who are curious, analytical and eager to understand how the world works. You should enjoy reading widely, questioning assumptions, and thinking carefully about how political systems and historical events connect.

Strong applicants:

  • have a genuine interest in both past events and current affairs
  • enjoy building arguments and evaluating evidence
  • think critically about ideas, ideologies, and political structures
  • read independently beyond their school syllabus

If you’re excited by the idea of studying power, ideas, conflict, institutions and change — both today and across history — History and Politics at Corpus is a brilliant fit for you.

Super-curricular resources

  • First and foremost we encourage students to read widely in their areas of historical interest before making an application.
  • Essay competitions are a good way to develop your historical interests and structure your super-curricular reading.
  • The Human, Social, and Political Sciences department reading list
  • The BBC have some excellent history and history-related podcasts such as The History of the World in 100 Objects and In Our Time